Sundance 6540-501 Filter Cartridge
Sundance OEM number • 85 sq ft • 8.375″ OD × 14″ long
6540-501 is Sundance's number for this cartridge, not a part you have to buy from Sundance. The filter itself is a 85 square foot cartridge measuring 8.375 inches across and 14 inches long, and Pleatco, Unicel, and Filbur all build it. If you read 6540-501 off an old cartridge or found it in your manual, any of the numbers below drops into the same housing.
Fitment notes
Sundance 780 series outer/main filter. 2002-2004 850 systems, 2005 850/850E, 2006+ 780 system. Unicel rates the equivalent C-8380 at 80 sq ft against Pleatco's 85, and describes its top as closed with a 2 inch SAE thread.
What to buy instead
Replacements for the Sundance 6540-501
Each button searches Amazon for one of the numbers this cartridge is sold under. The OEM version is usually the most expensive of the set and the aftermarket versions are the same physical filter, so it is worth checking all of them before you order.
Every number for this filter
| Brand | Part Number | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Sundance | 6540-501 | The number you searched |
| Pleatco | PSD85-2002 | Aftermarket equivalent |
| Unicel | C-8380 | Aftermarket equivalent |
| Filbur | FC-2810 | Aftermarket equivalent |
Full specs, the cartridge diagram, and the complete compatibility list live on the PSD85-2002 cartridge page. You can also see every 8.375″ × 14″ cartridge if you are checking a measurement rather than a part number.
Equipment that uses this cartridge
Looking for a different model? Browse every Sundance model we cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
What filter replaces the Sundance 6540-501?
The PSD85-2002 replaces it directly, and so does every cross-reference for it: C-8380, FC-2810. All of them are the same 85 sq ft cartridge at 8.375" outer diameter and 14" long. Buy whichever is cheapest at the time with solid recent reviews.
Is the Sundance 6540-501 the same as the PSD85-2002?
Yes, physically the same filter. Sundance 6540-501 is an OEM number, meaning it is the code Sundance put on the cartridge that shipped with the equipment. Sundance does not manufacture cartridges. Pleatco, Unicel, and Filbur do, and they sell the identical part under their own numbers at a lower price. Match the dimensions against your old cartridge before ordering and you are covered.
Do I have to buy the Sundance version?
No. Nothing about the housing requires an OEM-branded cartridge, and the warranty on your equipment is not voided by using an aftermarket filter that meets the same spec. The reason to buy OEM is convenience, not performance. The reason not to is price, which is often a meaningful gap for an identical part. What matters is that outer diameter, length, and end-cap style all match.
What size is the Sundance 6540-501?
8.375 inches in outer diameter, 14 inches long, with 85 square feet of filter media. Both measurements need to land within about an eighth of an inch, and the end caps have to match so the cartridge seats correctly when you close the lid. Measure your old one rather than trusting a number that has worn off the label.
Data updated August 2026